Chess Puzzle #E2E4b — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rook a1; bishop e3; knight h2; pawns a3/b2/c3/f2. Black: king c8; queen g8; rook g2; bishop d7; pawns a7/b6/b7/d5/e4/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf4 — bishop e3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook g2→h2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxh2 (bishop f4→h2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen g8→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3q1/pp1b4/1p6/3pQ3/4p3/P1P1B2p/1P3PrN/R6K w - - 6 34

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